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“I believe you are expecting me.”

At my simple greeting, Idris raised a brow. Despite my aggressive entrance, his demeanor remained calm, confident. “You weren’t exactly quiet about your intention to charge the gates. I mean, a white steed and cape? Really? They are so last monarchy.”

I cast a glance at the cowering villagers. “Hiding behind innocents, are we?”

“I merely summoned a handful of my most devoted supporters to help celebrate this auspicious moment. Allow me to introduce to you the inhabitants of White Bridge, Runa’schildhood home. The ones she risked life and limb to protect. Did you know they are the reason she became a thief?”

Flark. If Runa loved these people, I could not risk them.

I masked my concern, saying in a pleasant voice, “And what, pray tell, are we celebrating?”

His lips spread into an approving grin as if he’d been anticipating my question. “Our reunion, of course.” Idris scanned my armored form with an appraising gaze. “You look like him. I see it now. Doesn’t he look like him?” he said to Raelynn.

The queen peered back at me, eyes darting, posture tense. She was unsettled, and rightly so. To defeat Idris, I’d need to separate her from her mate and the sacred arbor.

“Yes, my king,” she agreed, setting her lips into a disapproving line.

I shrugged. “I’m told I take after my mother.”

Idris’s eyes alighted. “Ah, yes. The whore who bore you, my bastard half-brother.”

I furrowed my brow. “Is this the part where we insult each other’s mothers? Apologies, as I am yet unfamiliar with the customs here.”

He smiled in return. “I have to admit, I admire the misplaced confidence that brought you to my door today. Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less from one of his bastards. Father was quite brash himself. He believed he could flaunt his whores beneath my mother’s nose and she wouldn’t retaliate. He paid for that miscalculation.”

If Idris thought to rile me, he didn’t succeed. At the mention of my sire’s death, I felt nothing. The former king’s failure to keep his affairs in order cost him his life and his throne, leaving his kingdom in disarray. He’d also neglected to protect my mother and me from his vengeful mate. The male meant little to me.

At my lack of response, Idris stood, pacing with sharp, irritated strides, his veneer of control slipping. “You do understandthere is nothing special about you. You’re not a lost king but a discarded wastrel. You don’t actually believe this prophecy nonsense, do you?” He coughed a mocking laugh.

“It doesn’t matter what I think. The people of Carcerem believe it. Believe in me.” Faith was an influential weapon. One I intended to wield.

Idris shook his head, his expression incredulous. “Aren’t you ambitious? Rallying the villagers, pitting them against me.Me. The firstborn son and true king of this kingdom. Do you honestly believe you can steal my throne?”

“Actually, I’m here for your head, but the throne will be a nice bonus.”

At my threat, Idris turned to face me, making patting motions with his hands. “Now. Now. There’s no reason for us to be enemies when we could be allies. In fact, when I heard you were coming, I prepared a gift for you.” He snapped his fingers, emitting a small burst of gold sparks.

Motion at the side of the room snared my attention.

To my horror, it was Runa who strolled into view. My breath caught as I took her in.

She was dressed much as her sister in a flowing gown trimmed with delicate jewels. Her dark hair flowed down her back with intricate braids drawing violet tendrils back from her face. Runa resembled the queen down to the white haze that covered her lavender eyes.

My mate was the false king’s slave.

Rage smoldered deep within my core, destroying my calm.

While studying my reaction, Idris settled into his throne and held out his hand. As Runa drew beside him, she placed her palm in his. A palm I knew she’d sooner spit in than touch. While smirking at me, Idris kissed her blackened fingertips and placed them on his throne. At the contact, Runa flinched, uttering a pain-filled moan.

The decaying roots that ran beneath the false king’s thronepulsed with a sickening light. Idris’s eyes rolled back, and he quivered before straightening. “Oh, that’s good. Two sisters. Two powerful gifts. United. The seers can burn.Thisis what fate looks like.”

I tensed to attack, stumbling a step before catching myself. No. Not yet. Stick to the plan.

“Look at you, ready to rip out my jugular. While I, being the generous brother that I am, have a proposition for you. In lieu of some messy battle where you will surely die, I propose a trade. Your mortal world for this one. Now that you’ve regained your strength, you have everything you need to conquer your former kingdom. Runa will open a portal for you, sending you back where you belong. Once you’ve conquered that pathetic place, we could become allies. Together, we could rule both realms. Think of the possibilities. All you’ve ever desired is yours for the taking.”

I gritted my teeth, reluctant to ask. “And the sacrifice needed?”

Idris glanced at my mate. “I’ll admit. Runa was Raelynn’s first choice. Sibling rivalry. You understand. However, Runa has already proved to me she can benefit the throne, so I’ve arranged for another to take her place. Rest assured, the woman’s family will reap the benefits.”